US Congress House Bill 3459 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)
Status: Introduced on November 12 2013 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2014-01-24 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Pending: House Subcommittee on Military Personnel Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]

Article 32 Reform Act - Revises requirements relating to an Article 32 investigative hearing under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to require a judge advocate to conduct a preliminary hearing prior to referring a charge or specification to a general court-martial for trial. Requires such judge advocate to have a grade equal to or higher than the grade of the trial counsel and any defense counsel who is representing the accused at the preliminary hearing. Limits the preliminary hearing to the purpose of determining whether there is probable cause to believe an offense has been committed and whether the accused committed it. Requires the judge advocate conducting the preliminary hearing to prepare a report which shall include: (1) determinations as to the court-martial jurisdiction over the offense and the accused and as to probable cause, (2) a consideration of the form of charges, and (3) a recommendation as to the disposition of the case. Allows a victim of the alleged offense to decline to testify at the preliminary hearing. Requires the preliminary hearing to be recorded by a court reporter or by a suitable recording device.

Article 32 Reform Act

Rep. Jackie Speier [D-CA]	Rep. Julia Brownley [D-CA]	Rep. Rosa DeLauro [D-CT]	Rep. Betty McCollum [D-MN]
Rep. Patrick Meehan [R-PA]	Rep. Niki Tsongas [D-MA]

Date	Chamber	Action
2014-01-24	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
2013-11-14	House	Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H7059-7060)
2013-11-12	House	Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

SB1644 (Same As) 2013-11-05 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
HB3360 (Related) 2014-01-24 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/3459/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/113/bills/hr3459/BILLS-113hr3459ih.pdf